Southern Media and Opinion Research has the first poll of the year for the Democrats' biggest defensive target up in 2008, the Louisiana Senate seat held by Mary Landrieu. In a hypothetical matchup between Sen. Landrieu and recently-elected Republican Secretary of State Jay Dardenne, they come up with this snapshot (Jan. 12-14, likely voters):
Mary Landrieu (D-Inc.): 53 Jay Dardenne (R): 38
MoE: ±4%
The poll also notes that Dardenne (who, at this point, is only one of several possible challengers to Landrieu) has a name-recognition of two-thirds in the state. It's nice to see Landrieu in the lead, but this it's still way too early to get a feel for this race. As the polling firm notes, on paper, Dardenne seems to be a fairly good challenger--already enjoying good statewide name recognition (but still with some room to grow), and 15 points is by no means an insurmountable gap at this stage in the game. Still, in light of all of the disastrous polls showing Gov. Kathleen Blanco (D) trailing Rep. Bobby Jindal (R) in the 2007 Governor's race by as much as 24 points, it's nice to know that the state may not ready for a complete Democratic purge just yet. Republicans will still wisely throw everything that they have at this one, though.
